I work for a local voluntary organisation and we have been contracted by Lewisham as Deptford Renewal Managers, which have a role supporting existing market traders and shops, community consultation and events on Deptford High Street. The project is about supporting the commercial vibrancy of the High Street – regeneration without gentrification [BC says: it's an interesting question whether it is possible to make a place nicer and more successful without attracting new people in to the area - both as a catalyst for and a result of the regeneration - and even whether "gentrification" (aka an increase in the proportion of middle class people in a given area) is a thing to be discouraged, but anyway...].

This December we are holding some events each Saturday including showcasing the Deptford Community Cookbook – an idea conceived and put together by Niaomh Convery – a Crossfields resident. We have funded the printing of this book and will be selling the book at live cooking demos outside the Cod Father. On the various Saturdays there will also be a ‘sewing surgery’, present wrapping service, arts and street dance workshop, poetry and live singing stalls, and on the 22nd a giant Christmas tree procession. We have also been training up 7 new young traders who will be trading on Douglas Square.

Many apologies for not having sent this through to you earlier, I was not aware of the blog as I am very new to this area, but my manager Claire Pritchard told me about you this morning. I don’t really know how blogs works, but would you consider featuring the flyer or info about the events on the blog? That would be great.

Increasing the numbers of middle class in an area is to be discouraged, you only need to lot at how Brockley has turned since the great Hugo influx of 2005 to see why. What was a parade of honest shops is being pushed out by people looking for places to buy Soy Lattes and spaghetti spoons. It's time for Brockley to get real again.

I would think an area would improve considerably if the communities living in it get involved in projects like this one because they feel proud of where they live. It all contributes to the identity of the area. I might have a coffee at the project but I essentially go to deptford market because of the stalls. News of new traders are good news.

On the principle of "it if it's not broke don't fix it" - can one ask whether Deptford Market and Deptford High Street actually need regnerating in this manner? Don't go there often - not on my usual shopping round - but whenever I have been there it seems sufficiently vibrant and busy in a basic, no nonsense way.

Good for Mel and the volutary organisation she works for in securing the contract but I do wonder at the Council spending on stuff like this (bet those flyers were printed on card not paper) when they are cutting back on what could be seen as essentials elsewhere.

But you don't really mean that at all. One of your last posts was against free range eggs. How can dozens of hens being crammed into a small wire mesh cage possibly be described as "honest"? You really do mean cheap at the expense of any other consideration.

@HonestTroll, something may well be over-priced and mildly exploitative of people's affluence and sense of fashion or trend, but if it's clearly labelled as such - ie small Soya Latte: £4.99 - then no lying, deception, cheating or theft takes place.

If you want to criticise any of the so-called Nu-Brockley for, for the love of God, please get a proper argument.